Everything You Should Know About General Dentistry

A general dentist is the most common oral care professional in the field of dentistry. Unlike specialized healthcare providers, a general dentist dons many hats at once. They diagnose, treat, and manage the oral health conditions of their patients both in the short term and the long term. From performing routine exams to providing specified care, a general dentist’s scope is far-reaching. In this blog, we will tell you everything you should know about a general dentist.

What Do General Dentists Actually Do?

General dentists are all-around dentists that provide oral health care that is preventative, restorative, and cosmetic. Preventative measures deal with all procedures relating to the health of the mouth, teeth, gums, and tongue. These procedures include routine exams, fluoride treatments, and cleaning. 

Restorative treatment, on the other hand, comes into play when preventative measures are not enough to address the oral health issue. In such cases, they offer procedures that repair damage caused by tooth decay, trauma, or other oral health conditions. These procedures include bridges, crowns, fillings, and root canals among others.

Cosmetic dentistry, by contrast, refers to treatments that might not be necessary from a health perspective but a patient may want to improve their teeth’s appearance. Cosmetic dentistry procedures include teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, and veneer application. Basically, cosmetic dentistry deals with all procedures that accentuate your oral aesthetic.

What Degrees Do General Dentists Have?

Like all dentists, general dentists have to complete a four-year program at a dental school and pass certification exams from state licensing boards. You are likely to see dentists sporting initials like DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) in front of their names. There’s very little difference between the two as the training they receive is mostly the same.

When Should You See A General Dentist?

Ideally, you should see a dentist every six months to get your oral health assessed and for preventative treatments. In other cases such as when you have a legitimate oral concern, you can set up an appointment with a dentist near you at your convenience and go for a visit. 

To sum up, a general dentist is often your go-to person for all your oral health concerns. In case you don’t have a preferred dentist already, visit Brighter Day Dental,Dentist in Concord CA, California by making an appointment at (925) 356 2828.